Don’t let the fun of St. Patrick’s day ruin your weekend
By Michael D. Barber, Georgia Lawyer specializing in DUI, Drug Charges & Criminal Defense
This year St. Patrick’s day falls in the middle of the week. Many people will be celebrating both the weekend before (March 12-14) the weekend after (March 19-20, 2021) and on St. Patrick’s day itself which is March 17, 2021. Usually what comes with St. Patrick’s day is Green Beer, Dressing in Green and general great times.
The fact that COVID has kept us indoors for some time may make some people let their guard down while drinking or consuming alcoholic beverages. Unfortunately, members of the Georgia State Patrol DUI Task Force and the local county and City DUI Police task force will be on high alert looking to write citations for DUI drivers.
There are a great number of approved tactics for the police to use to stop cars and check for a DUI. One tactic that is the most popular is referred to as a “DUI Checkpoint.” These checkpoints however are not actually to check for a DUI. Most frequently these stops are disguised as valid license checkpoints or looking for a escaped person. The most popular time for law enforcement to use these types of stops is over holiday and or holiday weekends.
St. Patrick’s is no exception to the use of a Sobriety Checkpoint.
Almost all areas of the police use these DUI checkpoints. The scenario is usually you are driving around and see blue lights ahead. Except in stead of one officer stopping another driver ahead, you see what looks like a parking lot up ahead with multiple drivers stopped and an additional team of police officers directing traffic ahead. You have not come upon a DUI Checkpoint.
It doesn’t matter where you find yourself almost all of the police force use a DUI Checkpoint including: Johns Creek Police, Alpharetta Police, Milton Police, DeKalb County Police, City of Decatur Police, Atlanta, Police Gwinnett County Police and the list goes on.
This “tool” allows the police to stop a vehicle for any “legal” reason and their investigation can always lead to to a DUI if they suspect the driver has been drinking or using drugs. Sobriety or DUI Checkpoints are not the only methods that police use to check drivers for DUI. Other reasons for stopping a vehicle include Failure to Maintain Lane, Speeding, Accidents pretty much any reason to stop your vehicle may lead to a DUI investigation if you have been drinking.
Georgia State Patrol stated that certain holidays, including St. Patricks Day, they see a increase in the arrests for DUI. St. Patrick’s day is synonymous with drinking green beer and wearing green to celebrate. This day involves quite a bit of drinking and the parties that go along with it are usually occasions that everyone remembers.
Some people however end up remembering more than just a good party. With everything that goes on for St. Patrick’s day parties, some people either lose track or don’t keep count of their alcohol intake. With police being aggressive, or more aggressive, for DUI arrests, it means that more people are finding themselves the subject of a late night rendezvous with the police.
As a result of the Governor’s office of Highway Safety teaming up with various organizations, including the HEAT and TEAM division of local counties, the cops are cracking down on impaired driving.
If you have been accused by the police of driving under the influence on St. Patrick’s Day, or any other day, then you need help from a trained DUI attorney. Should YOU find that you either don’t want to face the court alone or simply feel that you need help from an attorney then give our office a call regarding your citations.
There are facts to every case where defenses can be raised for anyone charged with driving under the influence.
Each situation is different from the other and requires a evaluation of all the information in order to properly mount a defense and an effective negotiation with the prosecutor’s office. Remember that every DUI case is different because not two sets of facts are the same.
Application of the above case law to your situation would take examination of the facts surrounding your case and applying this case law properly to create a properly mounted defense for YOUR arrest.
Our office has 24-hour response lines and can answer your questions and help you. Give our team of DUI defense lawyers in Atlanta a call at 404-445-8494. We can help you mount a proper defense for your situation.
